Orthopaedic shoulder brace having adjustable pelvic, scapulary, and arm supports

ABSTRACT

An orthopaedic shoulder brace that is adapted to evenly distribute weight onto a patient&#39;s waist and hip is disclosed. The shoulder brace includes a first anatomically-conforming shell having an upper curved portion for comfortably fitting around a right side of the waist of a user, and having a lower curved portion for comfortably fitting onto the right hip of the user. A second anatomically-conforming shell is also included which has an upper curved portion for comfortably fitting around a left side of the waist of the user, and which has a lower curved portion for comfortably fitting onto the left hip of the user. A strap connects the front portions of the first anatomically-conforming shell and the second anatomically-conforming shell, and a joining shell connects the back portions of the two shells. The joining shell is rotatably connected to the first anatomically-conforming shell at a first joint and rotatably connected to the second anatomically-conforming shell at a second joint. These two joints allow the first and second anatomically-conforming shells to rotate to accommodate the varying hip sizes of different users. Additionally, a scapulary panel is disclosed for applying pressure to the scapula near the injured shoulder of the user. The scapulary panel is adjustable across an area of the user&#39;s back.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a shoulder brace and, inparticular, relates to orthopaedic braces which permit a limited rangeof movement of a limb or other body part and which includes anadjustable scapula containment pad.

2. Description of Related Art

Orthopaedic braces are often designed to provide both support andlimited movement to injured shoulders. Many shoulder injuries requirebracing during healing. The structure of an orthopaedic brace preferablyshould augment the structure or function of the injured arm or shoulderjoint in order to promote healing.

In addition to providing support, orthopaedic braces often providelimited movement. Shoulder braces, for example, may provide for suchlimited movement in many planes. These shoulder braces frequentlyprovide for flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and rotationalmovement over a wide range of motion. Such movements of a joint throughpreselected ranges of motion are frequently advised for chronicconditions and for rehabilitation after surgery.

One treatment for a weakened shoulder, such as weakness caused bypoliomyelitis or other nerve lesions, is to immobilize the arm in anelevated position. Treatment for this condition often includes keepingthe arm in the elevated position to prevent overstretching of thedeltoid muscle. The deltoid muscle controls vertical abduction(elevation) of the arm. If the arm is not maintained in an elevatedposition, the deltoid may be stretched beyond its elastic limit to thepoint where it is permanently damaged.

Existing shoulder braces provide both support and limited movement toinjured joints and limbs. The support is often provided through a rigidstructure and framework that adequately prevents movement of the arm,and the limited movement is often provided through adjustable structuresthat allow various components of the shoulder brace to be moved throughvarious positions. Shoulder braces of the prior art, while providingsupport and limited movement, often comprise numerous metal and plasticparts and, accordingly, can be cumbersome and uncomfortable. Inachieving the desired support and limitation of movement of a joint orlimb, shoulder braces of the prior art often introduce a countereffectof focusing a significant amount of the weight of the shoulder braceonto one side of the waist of the patient.

Many prior-art shoulder braces include waist belts, which are attachedat a point to the shoulder brace, and which introduce unnecessarydiscomfort and risk of injury. These belts focus the weight of theshoulder brace, as well as the weight of the patient's arm, onto thewaist of the patient. This distribution is often uneven, occurring alongthe waistline of the patient, instead of having an even distributionalong the waistline and the hips of the patient. Additionally, thisdistribution is often unevenly concentrated at the point of theattachment of the shoulder brace, which is usually on one side of thepatient's waist.

Further, these belts, which often require the patient to bear some ofthe weight of the shoulder brace on the patient's shoulder and ribs,often do not provide a rigid lower-back support, and conceivably maycontribute to lower-back injuries.

A problem of providing adequate means for supporting the scapula of apatient also exists in the prior art. The scapula is the large, flat,triangular bone forming the back part of the shoulder. When a patient'sarm is placed into abduction (raised), the scapula is often notadequately supported by shorter braces of the prior art. The ligamentsand tendons near the scapula, which are often tight after surgery, areaccordingly not stretched during abduction of the arm. A problem thusexists in the prior art for providing adequate support for the scapuladuring abduction of the arm, to allow for stretching of ligaments andtendons near the scapula.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, an orthopaedic shoulder brace that isadapted to evenly distribute weight onto a patient's waist and hip. Theshoulder brace alleviates potential risks of lower-back injury andpressure sores, and additionally provides enhanced comfort for the user.

The orthopaedic shoulder brace of the present invention includes a beltfor distributing the weight of both the shoulder brace and the user'sarm onto the user's waist and hips. This orthopaedic belt is adjustablefor accommodating the varying hip sizes of different users. For example,a single belt can be adjusted to fit the typically narrower hips of men,and can also be adjusted to fit the typically wider hips of women.

This orthopaedic belt includes a first anatomically-conforming shellhaving an upper curved portion for comfortably fitting around a rightside of the waist of a user, and having a lower curved portion forcomfortably fitting onto the right hip of the user. A secondanatomically-conforming shell is also included which has an upper curvedportion for comfortably fitting around the left side of the waist of theuser, and which has a lower curved portion for comfortably fitting ontothe left hip of the user. A strap connects the front portions of thefirst anatomically-conforming shell and the secondanatomically-conforming shell, and a joining shell connects the backportions of the two shells. The joining shell is rotatably connected tothe first anatomically-conforming shell at a first joint and rotatablyconnected to the second anatomically-conforming shell at a second joint.These two joints allow the first and second anatomically-conformingshells to rotate, to thereby accommodate varying hip sizes.

A scapulary panel is also provided by the present invention. Thescapulary panel applies pressure to the scapula near the injuredshoulder of the user. The scapulary panel is adjustable across an areaof the user's back. This scapulary panel contains the scapula when thearm goes into abduction, thus preventing the scapula from migrating outwith abduction of the arm. The ligaments and tendons near the scapulaare thus stretched by the lifting of the arm and the simultaneouscontainment of the scapula by the scapulary panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel,are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, may bestbe understood by reference to the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear view of theorthopaedic shoulder brace of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the pelvic portion of theorthopaedic shoulder brace of the present invention on a user with widehips;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an underside view of theorthopaedic shoulder brace of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the supporting hinge of theorthopaedic shoulder brace of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of theorthopaedic shoulder brace of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear view the orthopaedicshoulder brace of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modescontemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Variousmodifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled inthe art.

Turning to FIG. 1, the pelvic section 101 of the orthopaedic shoulderbrace 102 of the present invention has two sides: the affected side 103and the unaffected side 105. As illustrated, the affected side is theright side, but the left side may also be the affected side. A joiningpanel 107 is preferably formed from a semirigid low density polyethylenematerial. The joining panel 107 joins the two sides, and is adjustablevia different holes 109 in the joining panel 107 to accommodate waistsof different circumferences. The brace and the arm are thus supported bythe pelvis and the hips instead of being suspended by straps that extendacross the opposite shoulder.

FIG. 2 shows the pelvic section 101 on a user with wide hips. Each ofthe two sides 103 and 105 is pivotally connected to the joining panel107 at a corresponding hole 109 in the pelvic section. This pivotalconnection of each pelvic section to the joining panes allows foradjustment for differences in pelvic sizes. Thus, a user with narrowhips may comfortably wear the pelvic section 101, as shown in FIG. 1,and a user with wider hips may comfortably wear the same pelvic section101 upon rotation of the affected side 103 and the unaffected side 105about their respective bolts 111.

As shown in FIG. 2, the two sides 103 and 105 are pivoted about bolts111 to accommodate larger hips. The ability of the pelvic section 101 tothus accommodate different waist and hip sizes allows for a distributionof the weight of the orthopaedic shoulder brace and the user's affectedarm upon both of the user's hips. Additionally, the rigidity of thepelvic section 101 further provides a distribution of this weight. Inthe prior art, shoulder braces often distributed over 80% of the braceand arm weight on the affected side of the user. The user would,accordingly, develop pressure sores at the contact places on theaffected hip. In contrast, the orthopaedic shoulder brace of thepresently-preferred embodiment distributes approximately 60% of thebrace and arm weight on the affected hip side, and distributes 40% ofthis weight on the other side. This distribution of brace and arm weightis an advantage not realized by the prior art.

In an alternative embodiment, additional weight distribution can beachieved by increasing the stiffness at the two rotation points 111. Forexample, these two pivot points may be adjusted and then locked, using africtional interface such as teeth, at the adjusted position. Forexample, teeth may be provided on the joining panel 107 and on each ofthe sides 103 and 105 to thus provide a firm locking mechanism when thebolts 111 are tightened. Washers may be placed between the teeth todisable this locking mechanism.

The convenient adjustability feature eliminates any need for differentpelves components for both males and females. The presently-preferredembodiment has three different sizes of pelvic sections, whichaccommodate all sizes. As shown in FIG. 2, the joining panel 107 hasthree holes 109 on each side. The affected side 103 and the unaffectedside 105 may be joined to the joining panel 107 at any of the threecorresponding holes 107. Any conventional joining means may be used. Inthe presently-preferred embodiment, a bolt and washer are used to jointhe respective members. The bolt 111 fits through the hole 109, which isillustrated by dotted lines, and fastens into a nut (not shown) having athin profile.

Each of the pelvic section sides 103 and 105 has a corresponding pad 113and 115, which separates the pelvic section side from the user. In thepresently-preferred embodiment, these pads are fastened to the pelvicsection sides with VELCRO®. Other fastening means may similarly be used.

Each of the affected side 103 and the unaffected side 105 is formed froma heat molding process in the presently-preferred embodiment. A flatsheet of plastic is heated and molded into the shape shown in FIG. 2.

Another view of the affected side 103 is shown in FIG. 3. The plasticmember 103 comprises a curved portion and a rectangularly rigid portion,which provides a fastening means for the upright portion 117. Therectangularly rigid portion 119 protrudes from the curved portion, as aresult of the heat molding process, and houses a bolt housing plate 121,which is preferably made from a metallic substance. The heat molded side103 is made from a plastic in the presently-preferred embodiment, and issemirigid in the curved portion and significantly more rigid in therectangularly rigid portion 119. The rectangularly rigid portion 119additionally draws support from the bolt housing plate 121.

Looking back at FIG. 1, the upright portion 117 is connected to theaffected pelvic sections 103, and has an adjustability means foradjusting the height of a user's arm. This adjustability means maycomprise slots (not shown), or may comprise holes (FIG. 3). Two holes inthe affected pelvic side 103 fit into any two of a plurality of holes inthe upright portion 117.

At the top of the upright portion is a cylindrical member, the axillaryhinge 123. This axillary hinge has a pin or cylinder 125 that fitsinside the hinge. The pin 125 allows for anterior flexion. An Allenscrew 127 in the axillary hinge can be loosened by an Allen wrench, andthe brace can be rotated about an axis formed by the pin 125. The Allenscrew 127 can then be tightened at the desired position. The Allen screw127 threads into a locking nut 129 having a curved portion 131 whichfrictionally abuts with a portion of the pin 125, when the Allen screw127 is tightened into the locking nut 129.

The arm of a user in the brace may be moved forward and backward along a110-degree arc in the presently-preferred embodiment. A movement limiter133 is attached to the pin 125. The movement limiter such as a pin 133fits into a slot in the axillary hinge 123. The movement limiter 133moves with the pin 125, and prevents rotation beyond a predeterminedrange according to the length of the slot in the axillary hinge 123.This movement may, however, be configured to accommodate other ranges ofmotion.

A thoracic band 135 is connected to the upright portion near theaxillary hinge 123. The thoracic band 135 is flexible to accommodatedifferent sizes of users. A plastic scapula containing panel 137 isadjustably attached to the thoracic band 135. The scapula containingpanel 137 is adjustable along a direction generally parallel with thethoracic band 135. The scapula containing panel 137 contains the scapulawhen the arm goes into abduction (raised), thus preventing the scapulafrom migrating out with the arm. The scapula is the large, flat,triangular bone forming the back part of the shoulder. The ligaments andtendons near the scapula, which are often tight after surgery, are thusstretched by the lifting of the arm and the simultaneous containment ofthe scapula by the containing panel.

In the presently-preferred embodiment, the scapula containing panel 137is secured to the thoracic band 135 via two bolts which feed through torespective holes in the thoracic band 135. The scapula containing panel137 is adjustable along a length of the thoracic band 135 via a seriesof holes in the scapula containing panel 137. Thus, the two bolts in thethoracic band 135 may be placed in any two of the series of holes in thescapula containing panel 137 to move the scapula containing panel 137along the length of the thoracic band 135. A rivet in the thoracic band135 holds a shoulder strap 134, which fastens over the user's affectedshoulder, and a torso strap 136, which fastens around the torso of theuser's unaffected side (FIG. 1).

A front view of the orthopaedic shoulder brace of thepresently-preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. The thoracic band 135wraps around approximately half of the torso of the user's frontaffected side. Two rivets 142 and 144 secure buckles for the tworespective straps 134 and 136. The shoulder strap 134 has a buckle 146which allows for adjustment, and the torso strap 136 has a buckle 148which similarly allows for adjustment.

Connected to the axillary hinge is a supporting hinge 139, as shown inFIG. 3. The supporting hinge 139 is connected to the top of the pin 125and supports an extending member 141, which can be pivoted in a verticalplane about the supporting hinge. In addition to being pivotable in avertical plane about the supporting hinge, the extending member 141 isrotatable in a horizontal plane which is perpendicular to the uprightportion 117. Since the supporting hinge 139 and the extending member 141are connected to the pin 125, rotation of the extending member 141corresponds to rotation of the pin 125 within the axillary hinge 123.

The supporting hinge 139 and the extending member 141 are shown in FIG.4. The supporting hinge 139 comprises the extending member 141, anupward movement locking-means 143, a downward movement locking-means145, a locking-means accommodating portion 147, and an Allen screw 149.The Allen screw 149 is inserted through the five holes of the respectivemembers, as shown in FIG. 4. The lower portion of the extending member141 fits between the two portions of the locking-means accommodatingportion 147 such that the three holes line up. The upward movementlocking-means 143 fits against an outer side of the locking-meansaccommodating portion 147, and the downward movement locking-means 145fits against the other outer side of the locking-means accommodatingportion 147, such that their respective holes line up for insertion ofthe Allen screw 149. The upward movement locking-means 143 is rotatablyadjustable about an axis formed by the Allen screw 149.

As mentioned, the extending member 141 may be moved in a vertical planeabout the support hinge 139. This movement may be limited to a certainrange or stopped altogether. The upward movement stopping protrusion 151of the upward movement locking-means 143 can be adjusted to fit againstthe upward movement stopping ledge 153 of the extending member 141. Insuch a case, the extending member 141 cannot rotate upward. If theupward movement locking-means 143 is locked in a position which placesthe upward movement stopping protrusion 151 in a position above theupward movement stopping ledge 153, then the extending member 141 may bemoved higher in the vertical plane until the upward movement stoppingledge 153 comes into contact with the upward movement stoppingprotrusion 151. Similarly, a downward movement stopping protrusion 155on the downward movement locking-means 145 may be rotated to come intocontact with the downward movement stopping ledge 157. Such a contactprevents the extending member 141 from rotating downward.

Both the upward movement locking-means 143 and the downward movementlocking-means 145 may be rotated when the Allen screw 149 is loosened.When the Allen screw 149 is tightened, the teeth on each of therespective upward movement locking-means 143 and downward movementlocking-means 145 come into contact with the teeth of the locking-meansaccommodating portion 147. Thus, the upward movement stopping protrusion151 and the downward movement stopping protrusion 155 may be locked intoa position where the upward movement stopping ledge 153 and the downwardmovement stopping ledge 155 are contacted. This configuration preventsany movement of the extending member 141 in the vertical plane. Eitheror both of the upward movement stopping portion 153 and the downwardmovement stopping portion 155 may be adjusted and locked in a positionaway from their respective stopping ledges 153 and 157 to provide forrotation of the extending member 141 within the limits set by therespective stopping protrusions 151 and 155.

An upper-arm support 159 is adjustably connected to the extending member141. This upper-arm support 159 comprises a slot 161 which extends alonga length of the upper-arm support 159 from a portion near the supportinghinge 139 to a portion near the middle of the upper-arm support 159. Anupper-arm platform 163 is secured to the extending member 141 via twobolts. These two bolts extend from the upper-arm support 159 through theslot 161 in the upper-arm support 159 and into the extending member 141.The two bolts can be loosened, thereby allowing these two bolts to slidealong the slot 161 in the upper-arm support 159. Since these two boltsare connected to the axillary hinge 123 through the supporting hinge139, the upper-arm support 159 must move relative to the axillary hinge123 in order for the two bolts to slide in the slot 161. Thus, thelength of the upper-arm support 159 can be increased or decreased toaccommodate different patients by sliding the upper-arm support 159along the two bolts. An adjustable strap 165, having a pad 167 attachedthereto and connected to the upper-arm platform 163, can be wrappedaround a user's arm and connected back to the upper-arm platform 163 viaa fastening means such as VELCRO®.

An elbow-pivoting assembly 169 is connected to the distal end of theupper-arm support 159. This elbow-pivoting assembly 169 includes acurved sliding member 171 having a slot 173. The curved member 171 isslidably connected to the distal end of the upper-arm support 159 by abolt 172. The bolt 172 extends from the distal end of the upper-armsupport 159 through the slot 173 and into an elbow platform 175.

When the curved member 171 is slid about the bolt 172, the curved member171 moves relative to the distal end of the upper-arm support 159. Sincethe curved member 171 is slidably connected to the distal end of theupper-arm support 159 in a perpendicular fashion, movement of the curvedmember 171 causes a user's lower arm to rotate in a perpendicular planerelative to the upper-arm support 159. The lower arm of a user may bemoved along a 90-degree arc in the presently-preferred embodiment.

The present invention may be configured to accommodate other ranges ofmotion. The bolt 172 has an Allen wrench head in the presently-preferredembodiment and may be loosened for adjustment of the curved member 171and then tightened at a desired angle.

The curved member 171 is rotatably connected to a lower-arm support 179via a bolt 177. The bolt 177 extends through a hole in the curved member171, which is distinct from the slot 173, into a hole in the lower-armsupport 179. This lower-arm support 179, in addition to rotating withthe curved member 171, can be rotated about bolt 172 in a parallel planerelative to the upper-arm support 159 about the bolt 177. This rotationwithin the parallel plane causes a user's lower arm to move toward theuser and away from the user. The range of rotation in thepresently-preferred embodiment is close to 360 degrees. Where theportion of the curved sliding member 171 comes into contact with theportion of the lower-arm support 179, teeth are provided (not shown).Thus, when the bolt 177 is tightened, the teeth of the two respectivemembers come into contact and prevent rotation of the lower-arm support179 with respect to the curved sliding member 171. This teeth-lockingmechanism is similar to that described with regard to FIG. 4.

A lower-arm platform 181 is connected to the lower-arm support 179 viatwo bolts. The lower-arm platform 181 is configured to comfortablysupport a user's lower arm and hand. The lower-arm support 179 comprisesa slot, along which the two bolts and the lower-arm platform 181attached thereto may slide. The sliding of the lower-arm platform 181and the bolts along the slot allow the length from the elbow assembly169 to the lower-arm platform 181 to be adjusted by loosening andtightening the bolts, preferably with an Allen wrench. Thus, usershaving different lower-arm lengths may comfortably be accommodated bythe present invention. Two adjustable straps 183 and 185, having a pad187 attached thereto and connected to the lower-arm platform 181, can bewrapped around a user's arm and connected back to the lower-arm platform181 using a conventional fashioning means such as VELCRO®.

The lower-arm platform 181 comprises two holes for accommodating anadjustable bar 189 via two bolts. The adjustable bar 189 has a handle191 attached thereto for a user to grasp. The adjustable bar 189preferably has a slot, which accommodates two bolts in the lower-armplatform, and which allows the adjustable bar 189 to accommodate usershaving different forearm lengths.

AS shown in FIG. 6, the shoulder brace of the present invention can beadjusted to lower a user's arm to his side. This position isaccomplished by lowering the adjustable upright portion 117, which isattached to the affected pelvic side 103. Additionally, the extendingmember is rotated via the supporting hinge 139, and the elbow-pivotingassembly 169 is adjusted to outwardly extend the user's lower armslightly. This position does not usually require the scapula containingpanel 137, and does not require any additional parts, a featureunavailable in the prior art.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can beconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced other than as specificallydescribed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoulder brace adapted to adjustably support ascapula of a user and to adjustably distribute weight onto a user'swaist and hip, comprising:a pelvic belt having two rigid shells, eachshell conforming to a waist and hip of the user and being adjustable toaccommodate different hip sizes of different users; a thorax bandadapted to be wrapped around a portion of the user's torso beneath ashoulder of the user; a support connected to one of the rigid shells forconnecting the pelvic belt to the thorax band, and adapted to support anarm rest; and a scapulary containing panel connected to the thorax bandfor applying pressure to a scapula of the user, the scapulary containingpanel being adjustable along the thorax band and across an area of theuser's back.
 2. The shoulder brace adapted to adjustably support ascapula of a user according to claim 1, the pelvic belt including ajoining shell for connecting the two rigid shells.
 3. The shoulder braceadapted to adjustably support a scapula of a user according to claim 1,each of the two shells having an upper curved portion for comfortablyfitting around a side of a waist of the user.
 4. The shoulder braceadapted to adjustably support a scapula of a user according to claim 3,each of the two shells having a lower curved portion for comfortablyfitting onto a corresponding hip of the user.
 5. The shoulder braceadapted to adjustably support a scapula of a user according to claim 4,the pelvic belt including means for extending over a front side of theuser and for connecting the two shells.
 6. The shoulder brace adapted toadjustably support a scapula of a user according to claim 5, the pelvicbelt including a joining shell for extending over a back side of theuser, the joining shell rotatably connected to each of the two shells.7. The shoulder brace adapted to adjustably support a scapula of a useraccording to claim 6, the joining shell being rotatably connected to afirst one of the two shells at a first joint and being rotatablyconnected to a second one of the two shells at a second joint, whereinthe first joint and the second joint can be locked to prevent rotationand add rigidity.
 8. The shoulder brace adapted to adjustably support ascapula of a user according to claim 7, the first and the second jointsallowing the first and second shells to rotate to accommodate varyinghip sizes of different users.
 9. An orthopedic shoulder brace adapted toadjustably support a scapula of a user, comprising:distributing meansfor distributing weight onto a user's waist and hips; wrapping means forwrapping around a portion of the user's torso beneath an injury of theuser; connecting means connected to the distributing means forconnecting the distributing means to the wrapping means and forsupporting an arm rest; and applying means detachably connected to thewrapping means for applying pressure to a scapula of the user in orderto hold the scapula in place when an arm of the user corresponding tothe scapula is raised, the applying means being adjustable across anarea spanning a portion of a length of the wrapping means.
 10. Theshoulder brace adapted to adjustably support a scapula of a useraccording to claim 9, the applying means being adjustable across an areaspanning a portion of a length of the wrapping means.
 11. The shoulderbrace adapted to adjustably support a scapula of a user according toclaim 9, the distributing means and the wrapping means being rigid. 12.The shoulder brace adapted to adjustably support a scapula of a useraccording to claim 9, the applying means being adjustable across alength of the distributing means.
 13. A shoulder brace for adjustablysupporting an arm, comprising:a belt for wrapping around a user's waist;a rigid member extending from a first point on the belt to a secondpoint beneath a shoulder of the user; a cylinder housing for rotatablyhousing a cylinder at the second point, the cylinder being rotatableabout a substantially vertical axis and having an upper end, thecylinder housing having a slot accommodating a limiter pin attached tothe cylinder, the limiter pin sliding within the cylinder housing whenthe cylinder is rotated, wherein a range of rotation of the cylinder islimited by a length of the slot; an arm support pivotally connected tothe upper end, the arm support being downwardly pivotable from aposition where the arm support is substantially perpendicular to therigid member to a position where the arm support forms an acute anglewith the rigid member; and means connected to the rigid member forcontaining a scapula of a user when the arm of the user is placed intoabduction, the containing means comprising a thorax band and a rigidpanel adjustably and detachably connected to the thorax band.
 14. Theshoulder brace of claim 13, further including a lower arm supportconnected to the arm support, the lower arm support being pivotable in aplane perpendicular to the arm support.
 15. A shoulder brace adapted toadjustably support a scapula of a user and to adjustably distributeweight onto a user's waist and hip, comprising:a pelvic belt having aleft rigid shell and a right rigid shell, each of the two rigid shellshaving an upper curved portion for comfortably fitting around a side ofa waist of the user and having a lower curved portion for comfortablyfitting onto a hip of the user, each of the two rigid shells beingrotatably connected to a joining shell to accommodate different hipsizes of different users; a thorax band for wrapping around a portion ofthe user's torso beneath an injury of the user, the portion extendingfrom a front side of the user's torso to a rear side of the user'storso; a support connected to one of the rigid shells for connecting thepelvic belt to the thorax band, the support comprising means forsupporting an arm rest; and a scapulary containing panel detachablyconnected to one of a plurality of locations along the thorax band forapplying pressure to a scapula of the user.
 16. A shoulder brace foradjustably supporting an arm, comprising:a belt for wrapping around auser's waist; a rigid member extending from a first point on the belt toa second point beneath a shoulder of the user; a cylinder housing forrotatably housing a cylinder at the second point, the cylinder beingrotatable about a substantially vertical axis and having an upper end,the cylinder housing having means for stopping the rotation of thecylinder; an arm support pivotally connected to the upper end, the armsupport being downwardly pivotable from a position where the arm supportis substantially perpendicular to the rigid member to a position wherethe arm support forms an acute angle with the rigid member; andmotion-limiting means connected between the upper end and the armsupport, the motion-limiting means comprising a first adjustable stopmeans for contacting a first portion of the arm support to prevent thearm support from pivoting downward past a first predetermined angle, andfurther comprising a second adjustable stop means for contacting asecond portion of the arm support to prevent the arm support frompivoting upward past a second predetermined angle, the first and secondstop means being adjustable to provide from a 0-degree range of motionto a 110-degree range of motion of the arm support.
 17. An orthopedicshoulder brace adapted to adjustably support a scapula of a user,comprising:distributing means for distributing weight onto a user'swaist and hips, at least a portion of the distributing means beingrigid; rigid wrapping means for wrapping around a portion of the user'storso beneath an injury of the user; connecting means connected to thedistributing means for connecting the distributing means to the wrappingmeans and for supporting an arm rest; and applying means detachablyconnected to the wrapping means for applying pressure to a scapula ofthe user in order to hold the scapula in place when an arm of the usercorresponding to the scapula is raised, the applying means beingadjustable across a length of the rigid portion of the distributingmeans.
 18. The shoulder brace adapted to adjustably support a scapula ofa user according to claim 17, the applying means being adjustable acrossan area of the user's back.